Themed Wedding Ceremonies with a Roman Flair

Ancient Roman wedding ceremonies began with the bride renouncing her childhood so that she could properly prepare for her life as wife and mother. To do this, she began by surrendering her childhood toys. The bride 's hairstyle was unique only to brides. Her hair was divided into six locks, and was fastened with fillets on the top of her head.

Like today, the Roman bride 's wedding attire was worn only once; the most significant piece of clothing being the flame colored, yet transparent, veil which was worn on the crown of her head beneath wreaths of myrtle branches and orange blossoms. The dress consisted of a simple tunic tied with a woolen girdle over which she wore a yellow cloak and matching sandals.

The first part of the wedding ceremony would begin at the house of the bride 's parents. When all was in order, her parents would then hand her over to her groom. This led to the pledge; a simple ceremony in which the young couple would grasp hands and recite their commitment to one another. From there they would go to a place of sacrifice where the bride and groom would sacrifice a pig. The matron of honor would then join the bride and groom 's hands together.

In Roman wedding ceremonies the best man also acted as the priest and it was his responsibility to present the wedding contract at the appropriate time, and to ensure that the proper number of witnesses signed it.

The Roman version of a reception was actually a part of their wedding ceremonies. After the wedding contract was signed there would be a huge wedding breakfast feast which was traditionally paid for by the groom and, it has been reported, often lasted until nightfall. This is most likely where the early wedding cake, a simple loaf of wheat flour, salt, and water, was used.

At this time gifts were given and the wedding party made ready for the next part of the wedding ceremony - the procession. During this procession the attendants would lead the bride to her new home. This was quite the event. Flute players announced the procession 's progress as they moved. Torchbearers lit the way as designated young children led the way. As they went, and especially as they neared the grooms home, well wishers threw walnuts at the party in a gesture of their hope for the new couple 's fertility. Meanwhile the groom went on ahead to prepare the way house for the arrival of his new wife.

The bride 's arrival at the new home was the climax of the wedding ceremony: Before the groom could carry the bride through the doorway of their new home a white cloth was spread on the ground and covered with leaves and branches. Likewise, it is reported that the bride would first smear fat on the door post and tie a strand of wool to the door posts to mark the home as her domain before the groom would carry the bride across the threshold and into their new house.

It is easy to see that many of our modern day traditions in wedding ceremonies originated with the Romans and the variations could make for a memorable event should anyone choose to base their wedding after the ancient Roman wedding ceremony.

About the Author

Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find lots of wedding theme ideas to inspire your wedding planning to new heights at her website http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.

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Wedding Ceremonies – Ideas for Non-Religious Ceremonies

by: Elsie Gilbert

Gone are the days when all wedding ceremonies were conducted in religious surroundings and required the blessing of God. Whilst the majority of people still opt for a traditional ceremony, more and more people are looking at new and innovative ways to get married.

When planning wedding ceremonies, it is important to think carefully about what you hope to achieve, what sort of atmosphere are you going to create and, indeed, what your guests would enjoy. The wedding day, itself, should be planned with the bride and groom in mind; however, it is always wise to consider your guests. Just think about it, getting married whilst descending white water rapids may not be such a good idea if few of your guests can swim!

Although wedding ceremonies can take place in almost any type of environment, you should ensure that the individual conducting your ceremony is licensed, so that you can be certain that your wedding is legally valid.

People are becoming more and more imaginative when it comes to wedding ceremonies, in an attempt to be different from the rest. Of course, if both bride and groom enjoy a similar hobby, a theme may be very obvious. For example, if you are both divers, getting married under water or maybe bungee jumping if you both enjoy throwing yourselves off bridges!

Not all wedding ceremonies are as dramatic as these, non-religious options; but simple ceremonies, in general, are becoming increasingly popular. Not only are people opting for simplicity, because it tends to work out cheaper, but also because of the increase in the number of second weddings taking place. Couples, especially second time round, are generally keen to ensure that they opt for smaller, elite gatherings of close friends and family, with a stronger emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

Many venues now offer the complete service and it is well worth looking at your favorite hotels to see if they have a license to perform wedding ceremonies. By keeping everything in one venue it will be easier to control the flow of the day and to ensure that guests are not concerned with transport, throughout the day.

Even the vows taken during wedding ceremonies are becoming more modern and tailored to an individual’s desire. Those getting married can now write their own vows so that they really mean something special for their individual circumstances.

Arguably, the trend towards creating your own wedding ceremonies allows individuals to really put their own stamp on their special day. After all, it is your day so why shouldn’t you have it all your own way?

About The Author

Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com

elsieg@nycap.rr.com

Wedding Ceremonies – It’s All Down To Detail!

by: Elsie Gilbert

Wedding ceremonies are simply not what they used to be. Set patterns and traditional format ceremonies are making way for unique, well thought out wedding ceremonies that are tailored to the individual needs of the bride and groom. However, whatever type of wedding ceremony you chose, there are still some important considerations when planning picture-perfect wedding ceremonies.

Wedding Ceremonies – The Timing

Time of year is fundamental. Not everyone wants a summer wedding, although most brides and grooms tend to favor summertime wedding ceremonies, which means that popular venues are likely to be booked up, well in advance. If you are prepared to take a less traditional approach, in terms of dates and times, you may find that you have a much wider choice of venues.

These days, many wedding ceremonies take place in non-traditional locations such as beaches or even underwater! Whilst it may be easier to find availability for a more unusual venue, these specialist ceremonies are likely to be more expensive.

Another great way of securing the venue that you really want, at a cheap price, is to be flexible. Many locations now offer evening or mid-week wedding ceremonies, at a reduced price. Getting married at a non-traditional time is also likely to mean that other costs such as transport, accommodation and photography are cheaper. Overall, you can make substantial savings.

Wedding Vows

No two wedding ceremonies are the same and one of the best ways to add an individual touch, without going overboard, is to create your own vows. These need not be religious, and can often be more meaningful and a truer expression of love than a traditional, formulaic vow. Always check with the person conducting the ceremony, as there are still basic requirements in terms of what must be said and carried out to make the wedding legal.

Flowers and Music

It is the little touches that make wedding ceremonies special to the individuals involved. Never underestimate the effect that a few well chosen songs or unusual flower arrangements can have on your guests.

Try not to have a rigid idea about the type of flowers that you want. Remember, flowers are very seasonal, so it is always best to ask your florist for professional advice. Also bear in mind that the flowers you chose should complement whatever theme you are following. So, for example, if you are going for simplicity, stick to simple flowers that are classic and understated.

Always check with venues for wedding ceremonies what sorts of floral arrangements they can accommodate. Some venues will have limited space and may need to re-use the area very quickly, so will be unable to cope with large amounts of flowers. If flowers are important to you, remember to check with the wedding ceremonies’ venues BEFORE you book or, failing that, request that you are the last wedding of the day.

Thinking about the small things early on will make the big things happen, on the day!

About The Author

Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com

elsieg@nycap.rr.com

Jewish Wedding Ceremonies

by: Pepper Montero

As a contributor to www.bridalblog.info, there are frequent questions that arise by people attending weddings, not just planning them. Often times, people are a bit nervous when they go to a wedding ceremony that is of a different faith than their own. To that end, I have contracted with www.bridalblog.info to do a series of articles discussing what guests can expect when attending wedding ceremonies of various faiths.

Although there are many similarities between Jewish and traditional Christian ceremonies, there are some important differences. These differences need to be acknowledged, appreciated, and embraced by those planning and attending a Jewish wedding ceremony.

When looking at the setting of a Jewish ceremony, one will notice an arch over the place where the bride and groom stand. This arch is known as a “chuppa.” There are several meanings of this object. A chuppa symbolizes the home the new couple will soon share, the new life the bride and groom will share, and the consummation of marriage. Some brides and grooms chose to have people hold up a chuppa. In this situation, the chuppa symbolizes a life supported by people rather than material things.

Before a Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom signs a Ketubah. It is a contract of sorts signed by the groom and witnessed by two Jewish males who are not related to the groom. This tradition began as an attempt to protect the rights of Jewish women. The contract states the responsibilities the groom has towards the bride in regards to the marriage itself as well as death and divorce. The Ketubah is presented to the bride during the ceremony.

During the Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom drink from the same cup, as is done by many Christians during a wedding communion. In the Jewish tradition, the groom then breaks the glass. Again, there are several meanings behind this custom. The action reminds the bride and groom to remember the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple even in times of joy. In addition, breaking the glass demonstrates that the union of the bride and groom is unique, as is the glass that is broken and never used again. Finally, the sound of the breakage is intended to ward off evil spirits.

Another tradition during the Jewish wedding ceremony is known as the seven wedding blessings. At this point in the ceremony, the bride walks around the groom seven times as prayers are being said.

A final Jewish wedding custom is shouting “Mazel tov” at the end of the ceremony. Perhaps the most commonly known tradition, it could be the most fun. It involves not only the wedding party, but the guests, too. It is almost a cathartic moment for everyone. The ceremony is over; let the party begin!

Pepper Montero

About The Author

Pepper Montero and her husband run a wedding coordination business in the Upstate of South Carolina. They have been coordinating weddings for the last two years.

This article may be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active.

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